Police officer's service to others remembered at his funeral

BRENDAN James Poustie spent his life in the service of others, first with the Australian Defence Force and then with the Queensland Police.

Police Commissioner Ian Stewart told mourners at Sergeant Poustie's funeral on Monday about one incident that encapsulated his commitment to his community.

In 2015, Sgt Poustie was a shift supervisor at Mt Isa when he responded to an explosion that killed three people in a murder-suicide.

Commissioner Stewart said Sgt Poustie had been one of the first officers on the scene after a homemade bomb exploded, and had entered the burning building while live ammunition was going off around him.

"This was testament to Brendan's character and his commitment to his oath of service,” Commissioner Stewart said.

Given that commitment to helping others, it was only fitting that hundreds of people were at St Joseph's Catholic Church in North Mackay on Monday to attend a Requiem Mass celebrated by Fr Stephen Hanly.

Sgt Poustie was hit by a car while jogging in Glenella on the evening of Wednesday, June 7. He was flown to Townsville Hospital but died from the injuries Monday night, June 12.

While many of those at the funeral were there to remember the police officer and committed community man, it was the eulogy penned by his wife, Jakki Poustie, and read to the mourners by his brother-in-law Jim Fenton that encapsulated the man who was so inspired to serve his community.

"I couldn't have asked for a better friend, soul mate, husband and father to my children,” Mrs Poustie wrote.

"I have been blessed to have this life, and have his love for the last 16 years. And the memories that we made will last me a lifetime.

"Brendan was truly one of life's great people. He never said a bad word about anyone.

"I love him then, I love him now, and I will love him forever.”

The couple met in 2001 when they were at the Queensland Police Service Academy together. They sat next to each other on the first day, and while they were both posted to different stations after graduation they stayed in touch.

When Sgt Poustie contracted meningitis in 2002, he was transferred to be closer to Jakki and the couple spent the next 16 years together.

Before joining the Queensland Police, Sgt Poustie was in the Army, stationed at Townsville, and completed two tours of duty. It was only the start of his passion for travel and the couple spent a lot of time travelling together.

State Police Minister Mark Ryan, Member for Mirani Jim Pearce and Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert were among those at the funeral service to pay their respects and recognise his public service.

Commissioner Stewart spoke of Sgt Poustie as a man who served the community with "great integrity and dedication”.

"From the start of his career he showed a natural aptitude for police work... and built a reputation amongst his supervisors and peers as a hard working and motivated officer with the ability to lift those around him with his humour,” he said.

"He showed compassion and understanding of the communities that he served.”

The Pousties moved to Mackay from Mount Isa in 2016, but had been serving communities in North Queensland for 16 years.

Sgt Poustie posthumously received his 15-year service medal, national medal and national police service medal.